Towing system for surfboards and the like



May 4, 1965 J. 5. WILKINSON TOWING SYSTEM FOR SURFBOARDS AND THE LIKE Filed May 25, 1962 5 \\\\\\\\x .4 1 h? I m Q INVENTOR. JOHN S. WILKINSON United States Patent 3,181,861 TOWING SYSTEM FOR SURFBOARDS AND THE LIKE John S. Wilkinson, Seattle, Wash, assignor to Surf Tow, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii Filed May 23, 1962, Ser. No. 197,157 4 Claims. (Cl. 272-32) This invention relates to towing equipment especially designed for use by riders of surfboards and the like. More particularly, it relates to the provision of an underwater, cable-towing system whereby riders of surfboards or the like may be towed from an inshore position to a substantial distance off-shore from which they may be enabled to enjoy the sport of riding their surfboards or other forms of support back to shore under the propelling influence force of the incoming surf.

Specifically stated, the present invention resides in towing system embodying an endless underwater or submarine cable that is operable about a driven cable winding drum located at the inshore end of the system and about one or more anchored guides or sheaves at the offshore end of the system; this towing cable being provided at predetermined intervals therealong with short, trailing tow lines that are equipped at their free ends with floats to which tag lines are attached to be grasped for use by the surfboard riders for towing to any off-shore point of the run of the cable system.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a towing system of the above-stated character that eliminates the more strenuous efforts of persons who enjoy surfboard riding, required of them for reaching an offshore point from which they may ride the surf, in satisfaction and pleasure, back to shore.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a system of towing, as above-stated, wherein the endless cable is of such character and weight that it will maintain an underwater or submarine position that is in the clear of and normally below the level of all surface swimmers, boats, board riders or water skiers, yet is sufficiently close to the surface that the floats of the tow lines are not caused to be drawn below the surface while moving between the inshore and off-shore limits, and will trail the individual tag lines on the surface for ready access to persons who are in position and desire to grasp them.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein the off-shore limit of the towing system is established by two cable guiding sheaves that are anchored in laterally spaced relationship so as to define a triangular course with the two side legs of the triangle diverging in such manner as to avoid any possible tow line or tag line interference or entanglement while they are moving into or from the winding drum.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts of the system; in their relationship and in the mode of use of the system, as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating the present towing system as used by surfboard riders.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a run of shore and surf from the cable driving drum outwardly along the side line leading to one of the off-shore sheaves.

FIG. 3 is a top or plan view of the driving unit.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of one of the off-shore sheaves and its mounting.

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of one of the surfboards in use, as being towed by a tag line.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In FIG. 2, a sloping beach surface is designated by reference numeral 10, and the normal water level is designated by line 12. At the inshore end of the present cable system is a frame support or casing 13 that is fiX- edly mounted upon a suitable pedestal, preferably of concrete or other suitable and heavy material. This frame 13 supports a platform 14 thereon and mounted vertically and rotatably in the casing 13 is a shaft 15 that is contained at lower and upper ends, respectively, in suitable bearings 16 and 17. This shaft has a driving connection 18 at its upper end, with a source of power such as produced by a gasoline engine, electric motor 19, or other power means, equipped with the usual controls, not shown, for varying the driving speed of the shaft 15.

Keyed to the shaft 15 near its lower end is a cable winding drum 20 about which an endless cable 21 is wrapped in one or more turns. The two runs of the cable extend in diverging relationship from drum 20 to laterally spaced points that are substantially offshore. These points are designated in FIG. 1 by suitably anchoring block 22 and 22, preferably of concrete. Each block mounts a sheave wheel 23 of substantial diameter, horizontally thereon to turn on a vertical axle. The endless cable 21 extends about and between these two sheaves. Thus, in the driving of the drum 29, it is driven and moved accordingly and its weight normally keeps it on the ocean bed or beach. Guides or supports for the underwater cable may be employed if desired or required to maintain it at a desired depth.

Fixed to the cable 21 at spaced intervals therealong are tow lines 3t each of which is equipped at its outer end with a float 32 and from each float a short tag line 34 is extended.

The tow lines 30 may be of any suitable material that is sufficiently strong and relatively light in weight, and they may be of lengths found suitable for the particular location of use of the system.

The floats may be of any suitable material such as cork, wood, styrafoam or an inflated bag or rubber, or the like. The tag lines attached to the floats are of strong light-weight material that will float on the surface and be easily visible.

It is further to be explained that the particular article to be towed may be any water craft such as surfboard, flat board, boat, or paddle board. The floats are designed especially for maintaining the tag lines in easily observed position, and they also afford means for towing tired or exhausted swimmers to place of safety, and are, therefore, useful as safety devices in swimming or water sports areas.

To use the system, assuming it to be provided substantially as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the engine to be driving the cable drum Z0 and moving one run of the endless cable at a suitable speed in a direction as indicated by the arrows adjacent thereto, the surfboard riders who wish to be towed off-shore, place themselves at points adjacent the inshore end of the system and the outgoing run of cable 21 where they are enabled to grasp the tag lines 34. Each rider after grasping the tow, places himself :on the surfboard and is towed on the board to the desired off-shore distance and there releases the tow. The incoming surf then picks up the surfboard and rider and starts it on its way inshore. Under proper speed and conditions, the rider stands upon the board and is carried to shore in the manner well understood by surfboard enthusiasts.

When a rider releases hold on a tow line 34, it merely floats on the water, the branch lines 30 floats, and tag lines pass freely about the outer limit sheaves 23 without interference. The branch line floats 32 at all t mes indicate the location of a tow line and are available in case a'swimmer or surfboard rider requires aid or desires a tow. The positions of the tows 34 are readily made known by the position of the floats. Itis anticipated that the branch lines may be equipped for ready detachment from the cable 21 as they approach the cable drum 20 so as to avoid-any possiblechance of entanglement in passing about the drum 20. However, by providing proper guides for the cables as they enter and leave the casing 13, it is possible to eliminate the desire or requirement for detachment of the branch lines.

It has'been found practical to use a continuous wire tow cable 21 of diameter, branch lines 30 of nylon or hemp supported by floats of styrafoam or cork. The outward run of the cable-system from the inshore station may be up to a mile, with satisfactory results. However, water and shore conditions have to be given consideration and arethe governing elements.

While the cable driving drum has been illustrated as being keyed or fixed on a vertical drive shaft, it is to be understood that the drum and shaft might in some instances be horizontally disposed and driving connections made through clutches or forms of driving means other than shown, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. A system for off-shore towing of surfboards and the like between the shore line and an off-shore position comprising, a driven cable winding drum located at a fixed inshore point and mounted closely adjacent the shore line and ground level, cable guiding sheaves mounted for rotation on fixed pedestals and laterally spaced at off-shore positions, said pedestals mounting said sheaves closely adjacent the bottom surface at said offshore positions, a continuous subsurface cable passed about said sheaves and said drum thereby forming a triangular course, tow lines attached to said cable at spaced intervals therealong, floats attached to said tow lines and tag lines attached to and trailed by said floats, said cable being of suflicient weight to sink to the bottom level and be supported between said drum and said sheaves on said bottom surface so as to be located sufiiciently below the water surface to avoid contact with floating objects.

2. A towing system for surfboards and the like, and riders comprising; a driven cable winding drum supported at an inshore position on a fixed pedestal closely adjacent the shore line and ground level, cable guiding sheaves mounted f-orrotation on' fixed pedestals at off-shore positions adjacent the bottom surface, a continuous submarine cable passed about said cable guiding sheaves and about said drum and driven bysaid drum, tow lines attached'to said continuous cable at intervals spaced therealong, floats attached'to said tow lines and tag lines attached to and trailed by said floats, said cable being of suflicient weight to sink tothe bottom level and be supported between said drum and said. sheaves on said bottom surface so as to be located sufiiciently below the water surface to avoid contact with floating objects.

3. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the said cable winding drum is mounted on a vertical drive shaft and said shaft is rotatably driven by power means connected therewith.

4'. The towing system of claim.2 wherein said tag lines attached to such floats are lighter than water and float on the surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,526 8/30 Steinhart 27232 7 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,229,031 3/60 France.-

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

2. A TOWING SYSTEM FOR SURFBOARDS AND THE LIKE, AND RIDERS COMPRISING; A DRIVEN CABLE WINDING DRUM SUPPORTED AT AN INSHORE POSITION ON A FIXED PEDESTAL CLOSELY ADJACENT THE SHORE LINE AND GROUND LEVEL, CABLE GUIDING SHEAVES MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON FIXED PEDESTALS AT OFF-SHORE POSITIONS ADJACENT THE BOTTOM SURFACE, A CONTINUOUS SUBMARINE CABLE PASSED ABOUT SAID CABLE GUIDING SHEAVES AND ABOUT SAID DRUM AND DRIVEN BY SAID DRUM, TOW LINES ATTACHED TO SAID CONTINUOUS CABLE AT INTERVALS SPACED THEREALONG, FLOATS ATTACHED TO SAID TOW LINES AND TAG LINES ATTACHED TO AND TRAILED BY SAID FLOATS, SAID CABLE BEING OF SUFFICIENT WEIGHT TO SINK TO THE BOTTOM LEVEL AND BE SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID DRUM AND SAID SHEAVES ON SAID BOTTOM SURFACE SO AS TO BE LOCATED SUFFICIENTLY BELOW THE WATER SURFACE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH FLOATING OBJECTS. 